Man shoots ex-wife dead and then turns gun on himself at horror divorce hearing

20 February 2024 , 16:40

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Cops outside the court building in Montpellier (Image: AFP via Getty Images)

A man shot his ex-wife dead before taking his own life during a divorce hearing in Paris.

The horrifying scene took place on Tuesday outside the Palais de Justice in the southern city of Montpellier before the divorced pair could discuss splitting up their property.

"A 66-year-old woman was set upon by a 72-year-old man who had been waiting for her on a bench outside the court," said an investigating source.

"As she approached security, he walked up to her with a gun and calmly shot her in the head, at point blank range.

"There was immediately a huge puddle of blood, and lots of screaming by passers-by before the man turned his own gun on himself."

'I lost my son to suicide and my hubby has months to live - every day counts'

Both the man and the woman were declared dead at the scene by emergency services personnel, said the source.

Fabrice Belargent, the Montpellier public prosecutor, confirmed that the pair divorced in 2016, and had been due at an appointment at 2pm to discuss the liquidation of assets.

The man had a record for physically attacking his wife when they were married, but "there were no proceedings in progress regarding domestic violence, nor any kind of protection order," said Mr Belargent.

A security cordon was placed around the court building after the mid-afternoon attack.

Michael Delafosse, the Mayor of Montpellier, said: "A man responsible for violence against his wife shot her and then turned the gun against himself.

"The facts occurred infront of the Montpellier court . I pledge my support to all the justice personnel who have been severely affected by this atrocious act."

Peter Allen